Sanitary cover



March 9, 1937. F. H. BIMROSE 2,073,137

SANITARY COVER Filed Jan. 12, 1935 frank 25.13am

Inventor Attorney Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNETE'D STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in sanitary covers in connection with hand pieces for electric drills as used in dental ofiices and the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a flexible covering means for the usual hand piece or any extension therefor and also in the same member a guide or journal and covering means therefor to encompass a part of the burr shaft.

A further object of my invention is to provide a sanitary sterilized covering that may be adaptable to slip over the hand piece of a dental drill which will be substantially supported thereto and adaptable for the same careful work usual in dental practice.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure l is a side view of the usual type of hand piece used on dental operations and showing in cross section thereon the device of my invention as it will be normally disposed for use,

Figure 2 is a side view of the devices of my invention,

Figure 3 is a side view, partly in cross section, showing my invention as applied to a right angle hand piece or drilling head, and A Figure 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

In the drawing wherein, for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, numeral l0 designates a usual dental hand piece with its holder for holding drills or burrs and other tools used in dental operations and which hand piece is usually inserted in the mouth of a patient during an operation on his teeth.

Numeral l I designates a covering for the hand piece Ii! composed of a flexible tubular member which may be sterilized and when desired for use may be slipped over the hand piece and have close contact therewith and have the power to hold itself in place through the contraction of this flexible member. I prefer to use a thin rubber tubular shank member having an enlarged terminal band l2 of the same material and integral therewith, that will serve as an elastic to hold the cover member I I against movement during use.

On the lower end the tubular member is tapered, as at 13, to conform to the general contour of the hand piece and inside and vulcanized thereto is a metal thimble l4 having an extension end l5 thereon which will encompass, support, and serve as a bearing for the burr or tool shank that may be inserted into the hand piece.

The outside of the barrel or tubular member I I may be formed by fluting, as I6, to provide a better hold on the instrument or it may be formed with any roughened surface that will serve a like purpose.

The thimble I4 is provided with a notch or slot at H to fit over the usual screw l8 extending from the hand piece so as to insure that the lower end of the sanitary cover II will not twist or become otherwise displaced in use and to insure against rotation of the burr or tool from causing any twisting or like action.

It is frequently necessary in dental operations,

in order to reach some difficult place, to utilize what is known as a right angle hand piece which is usually a shorter member, as indicated in Figure 3 and which is adjustable to the hand piece I0 on its Working end.

When such an instrument as this is required,

I provide a similar sanitary cover having the same general characteristics as above explained, with the diiference that the end thereof is formed to the contours of the extension member and has in connection therewith the same element M for supporting the burr or tool and also for holding the sanitary cover against rotation or movement during use.

It is common practice in dental surgery to use the same hand tool in the mouths of all patients. This may be wiped off but is not sterilized due to the fact that it contains revolving parts, usually in the presence of grease or oil. The bearings, also being delicate, must be protected from heat expansion and contraction.

To overcome this insanitary feature it is my aim to provide a sanitary covering of extremely thin material manufactured in the manner described above and which may, for each patient, he slipped over the hand piece with facility and ease and be removed after the completion of the operation.

Since the burr or tool used in connection with the hand piece projects somewhat beyond the hand piece it is also a purpose of my invention to provide, through the thimble M a substantial support for the burr as well as provide that my covering will encompass the burr to a point a sufficient distance behind the cutting tool to insure against interference with the work but, at the terial having a thickened annular retaining band at its rear end and a tapered front end, a metallic, elongated, tapered thimble adapted to engage a hand piece fixed in the tapered front end of the cover and formed with a longitudinal slot open at the rear end of the thimble, and said thimble having a reduced front extension forming a bearing for a tool.

FRANK H. BIMROSE. 

